Sub 3h15

Lorenzo - no, but I occasionally plan my sermon! Forgot to say there was a light covering of snow this morning and it was still falling when I ventured out. I can feel a field coming on... Happy cross-training.
BTW - impressive last minute Jantastic logging; TCCSTF team looking much better now.

Moof Very impressive progressive 20 miles. Why not buy a tent instead of an inflatable bed?

Nice pacey intervals Gul. I had to laugh at the thought of you and your field.

Rain here, but no snow so far. Rest day and my legs feel a lot better than I thought they would.

Not been online much this weekend I'm afraid but will read back properly later when time permits. A few mentions though. Lots of great long stuff going on.

Speedy - awful news about your Dad. Hope he makes a decent recovery.

Keir - great win! Sounds gruelling. Did you get the kids to clean your bike?

Poacher - great effort. Sounds like awful conditions!

First week of P&D 18 week 55-70 done for me. Total miles for week was 55. First time I've run more than 50 in a week since 1994! 15.5 miles yesterday in 7:54 average with strong last 5. Rest day today.

Nice Win Keir

Excellent run Poacher - enjoy the trip

Cracking progressive Moof. I will have to think about doing one of them soon. Sleeping in running kit on sofa - now thats dedication to a cause.

Off for my VO2 and LT test tonight with results and advice coming a day or so later. Should be fun

Snow here as well made it much easier to see at 6am!

Has the grass grown back around the edge of the field or is it permently damaged after your years of circling Gul?

Good luck in the test Menna. If you don't vomit by the end, ask for a retest!

Great to get the first week d&d DS2. How are the legs?

Really pleased to see this pic from yesterday. I've been working on keeping my arms above my waist, taking smaller steps and less heel strike for several months now. This was taken about 2 miles from the end on one of the less muddy bits, but far enough through that I was tired, not thinking about form and at the stage where it could have deteriorated. 

Keir - form looks very good. Great Pic!

Legs feel surprisingly good thanks. Just trying not to get carried away to be honest. I keep pulling myself down to earth by thinking about what TR says about deciding on actual marathon pace much nearer the time. I feel like an absolute beginner, not knowing what I might be capable of.

Mennania - looking forward to toppling off the back of the treadie?

Thats a great resuly Keir - particularly given the guys behind you were cheating!

Just reading the VO2 prep notes and it says no eating or drinking anything except water for 3 hrs before - hmmmm. Should be interesting

Nice shot Kier, out on your own! 

Well done DS2 great to be pushing the boudaries but take it easy.

Legs rather stiff today, may give myself a day off. But if there is snow on the ground tonight I'll be very tempted to give my inov's an outing- don't you love running in snow? 

Speedy - No prize money - a glass trophy (I will try to post a pic when I can work out how to reduce the pixels) and a medal. But all finishers get a sweatshirt, asiscs bottle, food and drink on finishing, so can't complain at all for a non-sponsored event. 

DS2 - My wife actually suggesated getting the kids to clean my bike as an activity for next weekend! 

Efc - slow falls from the bike stopping in the mud or just slipping out from under me. All part of the fun. 

efc - great summary. I won't need to read back now!!!

Therefore, ditto to everything efc has said!

Not wanting to wish my life away but I now have less than 15 months until I become a V50 as well. Lots of inspiration on here and looking forward to being competitive at that time. Desperately hoping VLM 2014 is on 13 April which is the actual day of my 50th. Easter is the weekend after and I've never known it be last Sunday of April. Does anyone know for sure?

Keir - that looks a fair old finishing reward. Must have been funny at times! The kids are bound to be afleets themselves so they may as well get used to washing the bike - and maintaining it as well. Having said that my eldest hasn't a clue about looking after any of her very expensive hockey goalkeeping kit - they have it too easy nowadays! Cue for a discussion starting 'In my day..............'

Good start to your P&D campaign DS2 - nice to get the first week out the way.

Great win Keir, and having the kids clean the bike is a genius idea for the family to do together!

Hill Reps session today. I managed 6 x 2mins before giving up. A heavy snow flurry had me sliding backwards. Still, 6 reps well into VO2 territory

DS2 - A good first week under your belt

Vo2 test done and dusted and am now recovering with a beer. Test involved typical body measurements with a warm up and then 16 minutes hooked up on treadmill with a hal mph increase every 30 seconds reaching 12mph for a couple of minutes at the end before I was put out of my misery. Proper pulling for tugs at the end and not disimilar to Darth Vader in looks and sound. A quick post test chat gives a mixed bag really;

1) - I am an inch taller than I was when I was 18

2) - I need to lose some fat (16% needs to be 12%)

3) - 3 hrs at 9mph is the top end of my current range  

Get the full results and an improvement plan tomorrow with a retest on 18th March. 

Good work, DS2 - when things start off well, they tend to gather a positive momentum. Hope that's the case with you, anyway.

Keir - Looking good in that pic -are those the sweeper bikes behind you?

I've been following Jez Bragg's challenge - totally mental distances involved.

Planning to do some controlled (i.e. not flat-out) km reps tomorrow. Just 5 or 6 within an 7-8 miler, depending on time constraints, Tuesday being a busy day. That reminds me - must go to bed.

Keir, I see that you've changed your face paint style.